Cryogenic ion trapping systems with surface-electrode traps

Abstract

We present two simple cryogenic RF ion trap systems in which cryogenic temperatures and ultra high vacuum pressures can be reached in as little as 12 hours. The ion traps are operated either in a liquid helium bath cryostat or in a low vibration closed cycle cryostat. The fast turn around time and availability of buffer gas cooling made the systems ideal for testing surface-electrode ion traps. The vibration amplitude of the closed cycled cryostat was found to be below 106 nm. We evaluated the systems by loading surface-electrode ion traps with 88 Sr + ions using laser ablation, which is compatible with the cryogenic environment. Using Doppler cooling we observed small ion crystals in which optically resolved ions have a trapped lifetime over 2500 minutes.

In-vacuum active electronics for microfabricated ion traps

“…However, the die footprint and power dissipation of the high voltage amplifiers might limit the number of channels that could be amplified. Integration with cryogenic ion trapping systems 15,18 would pose the additional challenge of thermally isolating the in-vacuum electronics from the trap structure and maintaining the components at high enough temperatures to operate.…”

Cryogenic linear Paul trap for cold highly charged ion experiments

“…There have been earlier cryogenic designs, such as that of Poitzsch 52 and others. 53,54 The main difference between those and the present apparatus is the usage of a cryocooler, 55 the enhanced optical access, and the ion injection capability that is indispensable for HCI related work.…”

Surface-electrode point Paul trap

“…[39]. Ions are loaded via resonant photoionization of an atomic beam from an effusive oven that is heated resistively to a few hundred degrees Celcius during loading.…”